Plattlets and pbc

[All1]

Hi I have had low plattlets for six yes always around 75 should the Dr have checked for PBC thanks

[ninjagirlwebb]

What is the normal lab range & do you have any other blood abnormalties? Answer to your question depends on everything you have going on & medical history. We can’t really answer that question.

Common causes of this symptom:

Low platelet level can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include pregnancy, altitude, or medication side effects.

[All1 in reply to ninjagirlwebb]

many thanks, please bear with me as I am new to this. Platelet count low for six years always around 75, , lowest 44. Alkaline Phosphatase high 141 to 172 since 2016. GGT 199 to 718 high since 2006. Dr never done AMA test, do you think she should have. Dia with PBC and Liver cirrhosis Jan 2018. History of unexplained liver problems.

I would be very grateful for your thoughts

Many thanks

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to All1]

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion & I am not in the medical field.

The ggt alone is indicative of a further need to investigate the underlying cause.

Here’s what we know about elevated ggt:

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme that is found in many organs throughout the body, with the highest concentrations found in the liver. GGT is elevated in the blood in most diseases that cause damage to the liver or bile ducts. This test measures the level of GGT in a blood sample.

Normally, GGT is present in low levels, but when the liver is injured, the GGT level can rise. GGT is usually the first liver enzyme to rise in the blood when any of the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver to the intestines become obstructed, for example, by tumors or stones. This makes it the most sensitive liver enzyme test for detecting bile duct problems.

However, the GGT test is not very specific and is not useful in differentiating between various causes of liver damage because it can be elevated with many types of liver diseases, such as liver cancer and viral hepatitis, as well as other non-hepatic conditions, such as acute coronary syndrome. For this reason, the GGT test is not recommended for routine use by itself. However, it can be useful in conjunction with other tests and in determining the cause of a high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, another enzyme found in the liver.

Both GGT and ALP are increased in liver diseases, but only ALP will be increased with diseases affecting bone tissue. Therefore, GGT can be used as a follow up to an elevated ALP to help determine if the high ALP result is due to liver or bone disease.

GGT levels are sometimes increased with consumption of even small amounts of alcohol. Higher levels are found more commonly in chronic heavy drinkers than in people who consume less than 2 to 3 drinks per day or who only drink heavily on occasion (binge drinkers). The GGT test may be used in evaluating someone for acute or chronic alcohol abuse.

Unless the doctor knows the elevated ggt is due to drinking, doctor should either do further investigation & if outside his/her expertise, should refer you to a liver specialist based on your numbers.

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to All1]

There is a whole bunch of tests that the liver specialist or hepatologist orders when investigating the cause of elevated LFTs...not just AMA. There can be many causes so to find the underlying culprit, more in depth blood work is needed which may be outside the expertise of a general doctor. Even then the bloodwork might not be enough to diagnose & a liver biopsy is done.

Hope this helps. So sorry that you have to deal with all of this!

[All1 in reply to ninjagirlwebb]

Hi Thank you very much for your help and kind words you have been very helpful I am seeing my consultant shortly and your information will be of great help I will let you know how I get on. In the meantime thanks again. All1

[All1 in reply to All1]

Hi I said that I would let you know how I got on with the consultant. My plattlets have dropped to 41 but he said that all my other results were good. My hemotelogist said that ALC was the reason for my low count but I have not have a drink for 7months and yet my count goes down. I don't understand.

Anyway many thanks for your help.

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to All1]

So what are they going to do about it? Low platelets can be a sign of other issues. I don’t understand what ALC is & how it factors into causing low platelets. Please follow up to get an understanding & also what are they going to do to resolve this.

Good Luck.

Haley

Per the Mayo Clinic:

Decreased production of platelets

Platelets are produced in your bone marrow. If production is low, you may develop thrombocytopenia. Factors that can decrease platelet production include:

Leukemia

Some types of anemia

Viral infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV

Chemotherapy drugs

Heavy alcohol consumption

Increased breakdown of platelets

Some conditions can cause your body to use up or destroy platelets more rapidly than they're produced. This leads to a shortage of platelets in your bloodstream. Examples of such conditions include:

Pregnancy. Thrombocytopenia caused by pregnancy is usually mild and improves soon after childbirth.

Immune thrombocytopenia. This type is caused by autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets. If the exact cause of this condition isn't known, it's called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. This type more often affects children.

Bacteria in the blood. Severe bacterial infections involving the blood (bacteremia) may lead to destruction of platelets.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. This is a rare condition that occurs when small blood clots suddenly form throughout your body, using up large numbers of platelets.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome. This rare disorder causes a sharp drop in platelets, destruction of red blood cells and impairment of kidney function. Sometimes it can occur in association with a bacterial Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection, such as may be acquired from eating raw or undercooked meat.

Medications. Certain medications can reduce the number of platelets in your blood. Sometimes a drug confuses the immune system and causes it to destroy platelets. Examples include heparin, quinine, sulfa-containing antibiotics and anticonvulsants.

[All1 in reply to ninjagirlwebb]

Hi I have made an official complaint and as soon as I receive a reply I will let you know. You have been more than helpful and I apologize if I am pestering you. In the meantime take muchly.

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to All1]

No worries. I want you to get the best care possible. Your doctor should explain to you why this is happening using language that you understand & also treat you & if they can’t treat you, you need to know why & what the risks/complications are if left untreated.

Maybe you can see another doctor to get a second opinion.

Haley

[DRK1960 in reply to All1]

Hi. My mother had ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura). Her body would produce platelets and also destroy them. It’s an autoimmune disease. This was back in 1980. It took them quite awhile to figure out what it was. She was treated by an oncologist. Her platelets would go as low as 3,000. Her oncologist would put her on prednisone to build her platelets back up. She had also had her spleen removed. I think she was sent to an oncologist because her mother had leukemia and they were trying to see if mom had it too. But she didn’t.

I have PBC. I think we’re the only 2 in our family (that I know of at this point) that have autoimmune diseases.

Maybe an oncologist would be able to help sort this out for you.

[Hidden]

I have low platelets (77) and will see haematologist soon. Among other causes of low platelets is enlarged spleen. The larger the spleen, the more platelets it can hold causing there to be fewer circulating in the blood. I don't yet know the cause of mine which were declining year on year without my gastro calling for an investigation of the cause. Have you joined PBC Foundation yet? I strongly advise it. It's free to join. One of the many big aids it gives is to enable, encourage and guide you to be your own well-informed advocate in health matters. What can stop us asking questions often is that we don't know what are the questions that need asking! PBC Foundation sets all this info out for us. Together with response here, eg Hayley's, you'll feel well armed.

Have you had the cause of your thrombocytopenia diagnosed yet? What was it? Btw, mine was described as 'mild thrombocytopenia' at nbr 77.